Record shipment to the United States of Queensland built Riviera motor yachts

The largest ever shipment of 15 Queensland built Riviera luxury motor yachts, were loaded in the Port of Brisbane this week bound for the United States © Riviera Australia

Australia's luxury boat builder Riviera, based on the Gold Coast in Queensland is preparing for its largest ever shipment of motor yachts to the United States - 15 in total that range in value from $1.6m to $6.8 million.

The precious cargo will be carefully craned onto a large ship in the Port of Brisbane over several days commencing from Monday September 8th, ahead of their 34-day journey to Florida on the east coast of the United States. This will be a spectacular sight as the multimillion dollar yachts - ranging in length from 43 to 72 feet - will be raised out of the water and placed on to the ship.

Most of these yachts are destined for exhibition at the largest in-water boat show in the world, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show that starts on October 29 in Florida, USA.

This international shipment is not only a record for Australia's Riviera, but is also believed to be a world first, being the largest ever number of vessels placed onto a single cargo line ship anywhere in the world.

This impressive shipment comes as the Boating Industry Association reveals the Australian boating industry, often referred to as the Blue Economy, now generates more than $10 billion annually, employing more than 35,000 people.

The first Riviera motor yacht was exported to the United States in 1982 and today, the U.S. is Riviera's largest export market.

The largest ever shipment of 15 Queensland built Riviera luxury motor yachts, were loaded in the Port of Brisbane this week bound for the United States - photo © Riviera Australia

"It's an amazing sight, seeing these luxury motor yachts being lifted into the air and onto the ship," Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst says.

"We are proud to be a strong contributor to the Queensland economy.

"Boating enthusiasts in the Americas hold Riviera yachts in high regard. Our blue water heritage, immense luxury and meticulous engineering have created a reputation for Riviera as builders of some of the finest motor yachts in the world.

"We undertake around 28 export shipments to the Americas each year, but this is our largest ever - 15-motor yachts on one ship.

"The logistics of such a large shipment are complex and considerable.

"The yachts must be prepared for shipment including shrink wrapping the exterior, then they must be moved from our facility on the Gold Coast to Brisbane where they are lifted out of the water and placed on cradles, then relaunched and driven skilfully to the ship with the cradle under the hull. The loading of the ship also must coincide with the correct tides which can be challenging when there is a small window of time to meet the shipping timetable.

"This is a proud achievement for our highly skilled team that create our world class motor yachts, right here in Queensland.

Locally, Australians are taking to the water in greater numbers with 2.33 million people now licenced to operate a watercraft in 2024, an 8% spike since 2019.

There are also now 902,000 registered vessels nationwide.

"There's nothing better than being out on the water, and sharing this special time with family and friends," Mr Longhurst says.

"Australia is home to some of the most beautiful waterways in the world, so it's no surprise that the number of people who love boating is growing."